Affordable service to busy Landlords -call us on 0208 090 1778

It's complicated letting a property. There are
several matters that need to dealt with to ensure that the tenancy
runs smoothly, and also that it complies with the latest laws and
guidelines. Dont just use any old tenancy agreement as it might
be out of date. For brief details of a subject scroll down the page
or click on Guide.

If you require further advice or assistance about rent or letting
you property in the Croydon or Purley and surrounding areas, please
do not hesitate to contact us on 020 8090 1778.
We have extensive experience and know how to manage property for
optimum performance, whilst ensuring smooth running tenancies, and
compliance with the various landlord/tenant laws. Maximise the return
on your investment - contact us
now.

Our Personal Services to the Landlord include*:

Three options available
for our landlords to choose from:

-
1.

Full property management:

In the Purley
and Croydon Areas.

We manage

the tenant, rent and

property
maintenance fully so the property owner has time for other things

.

NO LET, NO FEE

(Ours are the lowest fees in the area which gives you best value
for money). Online statements so Landlords are kept up to date.

- 2.

Letting only: In the Purley and Croydon
Areas - We find good professional employed tenants, do viewings,
reference checks and contracts and arrange anything else that
may be needed.

NO LET, NO FEE

- 3. Rent Collection: From all over the UK Landlords
ask us to do the rent collection for their properties. This gives
them the reassurance that they haven't missed a non payment by
their tenant. It also puts a buffer between the landlord and tenant.

We
are members of Rightmove, and The Digital Property Group ( now called
Zoopla) and we get enquiries daily from good quality tenants from
all over the UK and the world.

Visiting the property, and providing a rental valuation and
any other advice which you may require about letting your property.

Advising you on compliance with the various safety regulations.

Introducing suitable tenants. Your property will be advertised
as necessary, however we have excellent contacts with various
company and other establishment personnel departments, and we
usually have tenants on our waiting list.

Accompanying tenant applicants to view the property.

Obtaining and evaluating tenant references and credit checks.

Preparing a suitable tenancy agreement.

Collecting and securing the deposit on behalf of the landlord.

Arranging the preparation of a comprehensive inventory and
condition report.

Checking the tenant into the property and agreeing the inventory
document.

Supervising the transfer of gas, electricity and council tax
accounts into the tenant's name.

Receiving rental payments monthly in advance, and paying you
promptly, together with a detailed statement from our computerised
management systems.

If required we can pay anyregular outgoings for you from rental
payments (as requested).

Inspecting the property periodically, and reporting any problems
to you.

Arranging any necessary repairs or maintenance, first liaising
with you in the case of larger works.

Keeping in touch with the tenant on a routine basis, and arranging
renewals of the agreement as necessary.

Checking tenants out as required, reletting and continuing
the process with the minimum of vacant periods to ensure that
you receive the optimum return from your property.* Services may
depend on whether full management, rent collection or the tenant
introduction service only was selected.

Additional services:

Loans to refurbish a rental property (subject to 5 year Management
Contract and interest is payable on oustanding balance)
Rent Guarantee insurance (This is available for betwee £95
and £135 for 12 months cover. )
We can adapt our service to meet our client's individual circumstances
and needs, for example by providing a part only service, or alternatively
by taking on additional tasks and duties.
We can do check-outs and check-ins for absent landlords .
A few of our landlords are occasionally out of the country and
we can take care of everything on their behalf during that time.

Our Fees

There are no up front charges - nothing to pay until a tenant moves
in and starts paying rent.
Full reference checking is always done.

Guide for Landlords

Before a property can be let, there are several matters which the
owner will need to deal with to ensure that the tenancy runs smoothly,
and also that he/she complies with the law. For brief details of
a subject click on a blue link below, or scroll down the page. If
you require further advice or assistance with any matter, please
do not hesitate to contact us:

Proof Of Ownership
We require proof of ownership of the property to be let – e.g. correspondence
from your mortgage company, the title deeds, documentation relating
to the ground rent (if leasehold) etc. Where the property is jointly
owned, we will require the written consent of both owners to rent
out the property. If one joint owner is absent, a written agreement
regarding the apportioning of rental income will also be required.

Mortgage
If your property is mortgaged, you should obtain your mortgagee's
written consent to the letting. They may require additional clauses
in the tenancy agreement of which you must inform us.

Leaseholds
If you are a leaseholder, you should check the terms of your lease
as you might need to obtain the necessary written consent before
letting.

Sub-letting
If you are a tenant yourself, you will require your landlord's consent.

Insurance
You should ensure that you are suitably covered for letting under
both your buildings and contents insurance. Failure to inform your
insurers may invalidate your policies. We can provide information
on Landlord's Legal Protection, and Landlord's Contents insurance
if required.

Gateway Letting works with Endsleigh Insurance to offer all landlords
invaluable low cost insurance offers. As your Letting Agent we would
like to stress the importance of taking buildings and/or contents
insurance when lettings out your property. It is an inexpensive
way to cover yourself against many potential perils such as:

For an online quote please Click
here or call Endsleigh 0800 783 2526 and mention "Gateway
Letting" when you speak to them.

Bills and regular outgoings
We recommend that you arrange for regular outgoings e.g. mortgage,
service charges, maintenance contracts etc. to be paid by standing
order or direct debit. However, where we are Managing the property,
by prior written agreement we may make payment of certain bills
on your behalf, provided such bills are received in your name at
our office, and that sufficient funds are held to your credit.

Council tax
Council tax is the responsibility of the occupier. We inform the
local council of the new tenant. During vacant periods the charge
reverts to the owner. When unoccupied but furnished, the charge
is reduced. When unoccupied and 'substantially' unfurnished, the
council charges as per their lastest fee structure.

The inventory
It is most important that an inventory of contents and schedule
of condition be prepared, in order to avoid misunderstanding or
dispute at the end of a tenancy. Without such safeguards, it will
be impossible for the landlord to prove any loss, damage, or significant
deterioration of the property or contents. In order to provide a
complete service to the landlord, we will arrange for an inventory
and condition report, at a cost to be quoted.

Income tax
When the landlord is resident in the UK, it is entirely his responsibility
to inform the Inland Revenue of rental income received, and to pay
any tax due. However, where the landlord is resident outside the
UK during a tenancy, under new rules effective from 6 April 1996,
unless an exemption certificate is held, we as landlord's agents
are obliged to retain and forward to the Inland Revenue on a quarterly
basis, an amount equal to the basic rate of income tax from rental
received, less certain expenses. An application form for exemption
from such deductions is available from this Agency, and further
information may be obtained from the Inland Revenue.

Important safety regulations
The following safety requirements are the responsibility of the
owner (the landlord), and where we are to manage the property, they
are also ours as agents. Therefore to protect all interests we ensure
full compliance with the appropriate regulations, at the owner's
expense.

Gas Appliances & Equipment
Annual safety check: A valid Gas Safety Certificate must be supplied
befoe the tenant moves in thereafter at least every 12 months by
a competent engineer (e.g. a Gas Safe registered gas installer).
Maintenance: There is a duty to ensure that all gas appliances,
flues and associated pipework are maintained in a safe condition
at all times.

Electrical Appliances & Equipment
Although with tenanted property there is currently no specific legal
requirement for a qualified electrician to carry out an inspection
and issue a safety certificate (as exists in the case of gas appliances),
it is now widely accepted in the letting industry that the only
safe way to ensure safety, and to avoid the risk of being accused
of neglecting your 'duty of care', or even of manslaughter is to
arrange such an inspection and certificate.

White goods and appliances : Thses must comply to the Electrical
Equipment (Safety) Regulations 1994, the Plugs and Sockets Regulations
1994, the 2005 Building Regulation - 'Part P, and British Standard
BS1363 relating to plugs and sockets.

Furniture & Furnishings
Furniture must meet minimum fire resistant standards. The regulations
apply to all upholstered furniture, and beds, headboards and mattresses,
sofa-beds, futons and other convertibles, nursery furniture, garden
furniture (used inside), scatter cushions, pillows, and non-original
covers for furniture. They do not apply to antique furniture or
furniture made before 1950, bed clothes including duvets, loose
covers for mattresses, pillowcases, curtains, carpets or sleeping
bags. Therefore all relevant items as above must be checked for
compliance, and non-compliant items removed from the premises. In
practice, most (but not all) items which comply must have a suitable
permanent label attached. Items purchased since 1990 from a reputable
supplier are also likely to comply.

General Product Safety
The General Product Safety Regulations 1994 specify that any product
supplied in the course of a commercial activity must be safe. In
the case of letting, this would include both the structure of the
building and its contents. Recommended action is to check for obvious
danger signs - leaning walls, broken glass, sharp edges etc., and
also to leave operating manuals or other written instructions about
high risk items, such as hot surfaces, electric lawnmowers, etc.
for the tenant.

Preparing the property
for letting
We have found from experience that a good relationship with tenants
is the key to a smooth-running tenancy. As Property Managers the
relationship part is our job, but it is important that the tenants
should feel comfortable in their temporary home, and that they are
receiving value for their money. This is your job. Our policy of
offering a service of quality and care therefore extends to our
tenant applicants too, and we are pleased to recommend properties
to rent which conform to certain minimum standards. Quality properties
attract quality tenants.

General condition
Electrical, gas, plumbing, waste, central heating and hot water
systems must be safe, sound and in good working order. Repairs and
maintenance are at the landlord's expense unless misuse can be established.

Appliances
Similarly, appliances such as washing machine, fridge freezer, cooker,
dishwasher etc. should be in usable condition. Repairs and maintenance
are at the landlord's expense unless misuse can be established.

Decorations
Interior decorations should be in good condition, and preferably
plain, light and neutral.

Furnishings
It is recommended that you leave only minimum furnishings, and these
should be of reasonable quality. If it hasnt got a fire safety tag
then it cant be accepted. It is preferable that items to be left
are in the property during viewings. If you are letting unfurnished,
we recommend that the property contains carpets, curtains, cooker
and white goods.

Personal items, ornaments etc
Personal possessions, ornaments, pictures, books etc. should be
removed from the premises, especially those of real or sentimental
value. Some items may be boxed, sealed and stored in the loft at
the owner's risk but we suggest not leaving any pesronal belongings
behind in the property,loft, garage or shed. All cupboards and shelf
space should be left clear for the tenant's own use.

Gardens
Gardens should be left neat, tidy and rubbish-free, with any lawns
cut. Tenants are required to maintain the gardens to a reasonable
standard. However, few tenants are experienced gardeners, and if
you value your garden, or if it is particularly large, you may wish
us to arrange maintenance visits by our regular gardener. Sheds
and garages should be empty and available for the tenant to use.

Cleaning
At the commencement of a tenancy the property must be in a thoroughly
clean, dust and grease free condition, and at the end of each tenancy
it is the tenant's responsibility to leave the property in similar
condition. Where they fail to do so, cleaning will be arranged at
their expense.

Mail forwarding
We recommend that you make use of the Post Office redirection service.
Application forms are available at their counters, and the cost
is minimal. It is not the tenant's responsibility to forward mail
and mail may be returned to sender or binned.

Information for the tenant
It is helpful if you leave information for the tenant on operating
the central heating and hot water system, washing machine and alarm
system, and the day refuse is collected etc.

Security Deposits and the Deposit
Protection Scheme (DPS)
As of 6 April 2007 all deposits have to be protected by one of 2
schemes: The custodial scheme or the insurance scheme. Deposits
will be dealt with us if full management has been chosen and the
landlord does not have to worry about it at all. Where landlords
are doing the management themselves, they must join one of the schemes
themselves. Please contact us for more information.

Keys
The locks should be changed just before a new tenant moves in. You
should provide two sets of keys for the tenant. The landlord or
Gateway Lettting (if managed) will keep another set for emergencies.